NPR News: 01-09-2025 9PM EST

Summary

NPR News Now: January 9, 2025, 9 PM EST Summary

NPR News Now, hosted by NPR, delivers the latest news updates every five minutes. The January 9, 2025, episode covers significant events ranging from natural disasters and political developments to educational advancements and scientific achievements.

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California Wildfires and Federal Response

As Southern California battles ongoing wildfires, President Joe Biden outlined the federal government's comprehensive measures to aid in the crisis. Speaking at [00:34], Biden announced:

"The federal government is sending 400 firefighters, nearly 40 firefighting helicopters and planes, and 500 ground clearing personnel to Southern California."

He further emphasized the financial commitment, stating at [01:00]:

"We're going to be going back to Congress asking for some more help on some of this stuff, and I hope they're ready to step up."

Biden also addressed the issue of water scarcity caused by power shut-offs intended to prevent further fire ignitions, noting that hydrants in certain areas ran dry. This situation has led to accusations from Republicans who allege that local Democratic officials mishandled the water supply.

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Impact on Homeowners: A Personal Story

With the destruction from California wildfires reaching between 4,000 and 5,000 structures, many residents are returning to find their homes in ruins. NPR's Frank Langford interviewed Leo Tervalon, a homeowner from Altadena, who shared her harrowing experience:

At [01:27], Leo recounts:

"I had a modest one-story house in Altadena. I left Tuesday night thinking I'd be back the next day."

However, upon return, she discovered her home was entirely destroyed. Her son, Sam, expressed his devastation at [01:46]:

"It was entirely burned to the ground. And I was just stunned, absolutely stunned."

The loss extended beyond the family home, with Leo reflecting at [02:00]:

"Gone are the photos and pictures on the walls and the entire block."

Leo remains uncertain about rebuilding in the same location, highlighting the long-term emotional and logistical challenges faced by wildfire victims.

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Supreme Court Denies Trump's Sentencing Delay

In a significant legal development, the Supreme Court rejected former President Donald Trump's request to postpone his sentencing in the New York hush money case, scheduled for [02:06]. NPR's Amanda Bastille reported:

"The court said that any concerns Trump has about the case should first be litigated through ordinary courts on appeal or through lower courts."

The Justices also indicated that the impending sentencing would impose a "relatively light burden" on Trump, as Judge Juan Marchon plans to issue an unconditional discharge, meaning no prison time, probation, or fines. However, the conviction will remain on Trump's record.

Bastille highlighted the narrow margin of the decision:

"Conservative Justices Clarence Thomas, Samuel Alito, Neil Gorsuch, and Brett Kavanaugh would have sided with Trump in halting the sentencing. That means Trump was just one person shy of having a majority of the court agree with him."

This ruling marks a historic moment, making Trump the first former or sitting president to be convicted and sentenced on criminal charges related to falsifying business records.

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National Day of Mourning for Former President Jimmy Carter

In observance of a national day of mourning for former President Jimmy Carter, U.S. financial markets were closed on [03:09]. This closure underscores Carter's enduring legacy and the nation's respect for his contributions.

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Supporting Black Students with Disabilities in Sacramento

Sacramento-based organization, Black Parallel School Board, has been instrumental in advocating for black students with disabilities to receive the necessary educational services. Srishdeep Rabha reports on the impact of their efforts:

Parent Malik shared her struggles at [03:37]:

"Even though I'm aware of what rights my son had, it seemed like there was always a fight for it and I always felt outnumbered."

Her perseverance paid off, leading to her son's academic success:

"Malik's son now has a 3.8 GPA after being directed to a school that has the resources to support him."

The organization played a pivotal role in a 2019 lawsuit against the school district, addressing the disproportionate segregation and discipline of black students with disabilities. The 2023 settlement has prompted the district to strive for greater inclusivity and reduced punitive measures.

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Scientific Advances and Economic Updates

• Mercury's North Pole Explored: A joint mission by the European Space Agency and Japan has captured some of the closest photographs ever taken of Mercury's North Pole. Released at [04:21], these images reveal permanently shadowed craters, providing valuable insights into the solar system's smallest and innermost planet. The BepiColombo spacecraft, launched in 2018, completed its sixth flyby of Mercury to date.

• Crude Oil Prices Surge: Anticipated colder winter weather in the U.S. and Europe has driven up demand for heating fuel, resulting in crude oil futures increasing by 60 cents to reach $73.92 a barrel, as reported by Jack Spear at [04:21].

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This episode of NPR News Now encapsulates a wide array of pressing issues, from environmental crises and political landmark cases to advancements in education and space exploration. Stay informed with NPR for comprehensive coverage of the latest news.

Transcript

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[Jack Spear]

From NPR News in Washington, I'm Jack Spear. As several Southern California wildfires continue to rage, President Joe Biden has detailed what the federal government is going to do to help with the results. Response More from NPR's Lexi Shapitl.

[Joe Biden]

President Biden said the federal government is sending 400 firefighters, nearly 40 firefighting helicopters and planes and 500 ground clearing personnel to Southern California. He also said he had approved funding to cover costs of fire management, debris removal and first responder salaries for 180 days. But he said Congress will need to allocate more funds for the response efforts.

We're going to be going back to Congress asking for some more help on some of this stuff, and I hope they're ready to step up.

Biden also said that lack of power, which was shut off in some cases to prevent sparking more fires, was to blame for some hydrants in the area running dry. Some Republicans have accused local Democratic officials of mismanaging the water supply. Lexi Schapitl, NPR News, Washington.

[Jack Spear]

With the number of structures damaged or destroyed by the California wildfires rising between 4 and 5,000, many people are returning to their homes to find nothing but charred ruins. NPR's Frank Langford spoke with one homeowner, Jingwon.

[Leo Tervalon]

Leo Tervalon had a modest one story house in Altadena, the small pool when she left Tuesday night. She thought she'd be back the next day.

[Leo Tervalon's Son]

So we packed our documents, we packed the kids artwork and we packed one night worth of clothes.

[Leo Tervalon]

On Wednesday, her son Sam drove back to pick up more possessions.

[Leo Tervalon's Son]

It was entirely burned to the ground. And I was just stunned, absolutely stunned.

[Leo Tervalon]

Gone are the photos and pictures on the walls and the entire block.

[Leo Tervalon's Son]

I keep on waking up at night thinking, oh my God, how did I not anticipate this?

[Leo Tervalon]

Leo Tervillon says she's not certain if her family will rebuild here. Frank Langfit, NPR News.

[Jack Spear]

The Supreme Court has rejected President elect Donald Trump's request to stop his sentencing in the New York hush money case scheduled for tomorrow. As NPR's Amanda Bastille reports, this was Trump's final attempt to delay the criminal sentencing.

[Amanda Bastille]

The court said that any concerns Trump has about the case should first be litigated through, quote, ordinary courts on appeal or through lower courts. The justices also said that sentencing will inflict a relative, relatively light burden on him, since New York Judge Juan Marchon intends to impose a sentence of unconditional discharge, meaning Trump will not face prison, probation or any fines. The conviction will, however, remain on his records. Conservative Justices Clarence Thomas, Samuel Alito, Neil Gorsuch and Brett Kavanaugh would have sided with Trump in halting the sentencing. That means Trump was just one person shy of having a majority of the court agree with him. The decision means Trump will become the first former or sitting president to be convicted, sentenced on criminal charges after he was found guilty of falsifying business records. Ximena Bustillo, NPR News, New York.

[Jack Spear]

US Financial markets were closed today due to the national day of mourning for former President Jimmy Carter. You're listening to npr. One organization in Sacramento, California, has been dedicated to helping black students with disabilities get the school services they are legally entitled to. Cap Radio Shishti Prabhu has more.

[Malik]

Parent Malik faced an uphill battle trying to advocate for her son's school needs after he was diagnosed with autism.

Even though I'm aware of what rights my son had, it seemed like there was always a fight for it and I always felt outnumbered.

Malik's son now has a 3.8 GPA after being directed to a school that has the resources to support him. She credits the Black Parallel School Board, a Sacramento based community organization that helps families navigate school systems. In 2019, the board sued the school district, saying black students with disabilities were being disproportionately segregated and disciplined. In 2023, they reached a settlement and the district said they were working to be, quote, more inclusive and less punitive. For NPR News, I'm Srishdeep Rabha in Sacramento.

[Jack Spear]

A spacecraft launched by the European Space Agency and Japan has beamed back some of the closest photo ever of the planet Mercury's North Pole. Pictures released today by the European Space Agency show the permanently shadowed craters at the top of the solar system's smallest, innermost planet. It was the sixth flyby Mercury by the BepiColombo spacecraft since it was first launched in 2018. Crude oil futures prices moved higher today as colder winter weather in the US And Europe was expected to drive up demand for heating fuel oil up 60 cents a barrel to $73.92 a barrel. In New York, I'm Jack Spear, NPR News, in Washington.

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